The Ridder CO2 Optimizer is the first economic optimization of climate control in commercial greenhouses. User-definable settings for the CO2 costs and harvest prices have replaced a number of settings associated with conventional CO2 control strategies, e.g. radiation influences, vent position and outside wind speed.
The CO2 Optimizer is able to control multiple, differently priced CO2 sources in the same greenhouse. The application is suitable for different greenhouse types because CO2 losses are calculated based on a simulation of the greenhouse energy balance and therefore do not require the input of the greenhouse’s specific ventilation characteristics. In addition, smart implementation of the crop model resulted in a versatile application that adapts automatically to different crops and local crop conditions without the need for specific crop parameters.
Ideal growing conditions
In modern greenhouses, a process control computer provides integrated control of the greenhouse systems in order to maintain the ideal growing conditions. By programming numerous if-then rules, mutual influences and associated settings, the grower aims to implement the desired control strategy and achieve the best possible results. However, the effectiveness of this approach mainly relies on the grower’s expertise.
Ad de Koning, innovation officer at Ridder: ”Over the past decades, our knowledge of greenhouse processes has increased significantly. This is demonstrated by the mathematical algorithms (models) that can simulate and predict the behavior of the greenhouse climate as well as some specific crop functions. This development marks the first step towards a new generation of greenhouse control computers that will use scientific models to control the greenhouse climate more effectively and make the grower’s life easier."
Ideal growing conditions
In modern greenhouses, a process control computer provides integrated control of the greenhouse systems in order to maintain the ideal growing conditions. By programming numerous if-then rules, mutual influences and associated settings, the grower aims to implement the desired control strategy and achieve the best possible results. However, the effectiveness of this approach mainly relies on the grower’s expertise.
Ad de Koning, innovation officer at Ridder: ”Over the past decades, our knowledge of greenhouse processes has increased significantly. This is demonstrated by the mathematical algorithms (models) that can simulate and predict the behavior of the greenhouse climate as well as some specific crop functions. This development marks the first step towards a new generation of greenhouse control computers that will use scientific models to control the greenhouse climate more effectively and make the grower’s life easier."
Ad de Koning: ”The CO2 Optimizer is planned to be launched in October this year. First it will be available for the vegetable crops and within a year it will be ready for the floriculture. There are some pilots now. And the results, up to now, are good. We send this product to the Greentech Award commission because we believe in our CO2 Optimizer. It provides the growers with the best economic decision in dosing CO2.”
The Ridder CO2 Optimizer was developed in cooperation with Wageningen University.
For more information:
HortiMaX Growing Solutions
Honderdland 131
2676 LT Maasdijk
Netherlands
T +31 15 3620300
Ad de Koning
E: addkoning@hortimax.com
www.hortimax.com